World Cup after two rounds
- Posted by Rob (#1) on June 19, 2006 22:56 CEST
How do my World Cup 2006 predictions after one round hold up? These are the teams I predicted to survive:
Germany-Sweden
The Netherlands-Mexico
England-Ecuador
Portugal-Argentina
Czech Republic-Australia
South Korea-Ukraine
Brazil-Italy
Spain-Switzerland
Predicting, drawing-wise, a Holland-Brazil final. What's the story after two rounds?
Group A
Germany need to win against Ecuador to ensure first place, which is most likely necessary to avoid a premature encounter with England. Prediction holds: Germany to win, Ecuador second.
Group B
Prediction holds: England to win, Sweden second.
Group C
Forget I thought we could beat them on goal difference. Prediction keeps teams, but switches group winner: Argentina to win, Holland second place.
Group D
Prediction holds: Portugal to win, Mexico second place.
Group E
I honestly have no idea here. Italy is the only team assured of qualification with a draw, all other teams need a win to be sure, in case Italy doesn't win the USA even needs to trash Ghana with a four goal difference to overcome goal difference. I do however think Italy will want to avoid Brazil and will win, while the USA seems capable of taking on Ghana. Prediction changes: Italy jumps to winner, USA to second place.
Group F
I said:
Brazil to win. Doh. If Australia can draw against Croatia they might very well be second, and I think that might just happen for the Socceroos.
Exactly what I expect to unfold. Prediction holds.
Group G
France will beat Togo, so it all depends on the Switzerland and South Korea game. The winner takes first and France second, or in case of a draw Switzerland wins the group and France is second. I'll stick with my prediction having South Korea as group winner, so France becomes second instead of Switzerland in my prediction.
Group H
I keep my prediction: Spain to win, Ukraine takes second place. They only need a draw anyway, unless Saudi Arabia beats Spain four nil. It's been a weird group but that won't happen.
1/8th Finals
That would then produce, including predictions in bold:
Germany-Sweden
Argentina-Mexico (Arg. instead of Netherlands)
England-Ecuador
Portugal-The Netherlands (Net. instead of Argentina)
Italy-Australia (It. instead of Czech Republic)
South Korea-Ukraine
Brazil-USA (USA instead of Italy)
Spain-France (France instead of Switzerland)
So I basically stick to my quarter final predictions, only Argentina and Holland are switched removing two the historical Germany-Holland and England-Argentina matches:
Quarter Finals
Germany-Argentina
Italy-Ukraine
England-Netherlands
Brazil-Spain
Unfortunately this means we prematurely meet Brazil, which we won't win. I do think we can take Portugal (but rather Mexico) and England (rather them than Germany actually). Rather Italy than Brazil though. Note that coach van Basten does have a lot of experience with the Italian league. So it would be a lot better if we'd win the group, a lot.
Semi Finals
Argentina-Italy
Netherlands-Brazil
Final
Argentina-Brazil?
Comments
Rob (#1) on Jun 30, 2006 13:41 CEST (Post reply)
Neh, I just happen to catch a lot of games at the pub, I barely watch any sports when I'm at home or out partying.
Sammy (#132) on Jun 25, 2006 10:44 CEST (Post reply)
Robpie, you don't look like you'd find soccer interestng. Is it just because you're a man that you can keep track of the different teams? T_T